Delcy Rodríguez Names Ex-Maduro Bodyguard Juan Escalona Minister of the Presidency

Overview

• Rodríguez announced Escalona’s appointment on Telegram, assigning him to manage the presidential agenda and coordinate across state agencies.
• Escalona previously served on Nicolás Maduro’s security team, was an aide to Hugo Chávez, and was sworn in as a member of Parliament on January 5.
• Aníbal Coronado was also appointed environment minister as part of early cabinet moves that included replacing the presidential guard chief and naming a new economic czar.
• The shake-up follows the January 3 U.S. operation that captured Maduro, with reports of about 55 members of his protective network killed, including 32 Cubans, and his transfer to New York for prosecution.
• Caracas has quickly recalibrated ties with Washington, with President Donald Trump expressing satisfaction with Rodríguez and signaling interest in a meeting.